Every task in Jetpack Workflow carries statuses that tell you and your team where things stand at a glance. Some of these are set manually, some are applied automatically by the system. This article explains what each one means and how it works.

A task is Ready to Start when it's been created but no work has begun yet. This is the default - it's set automatically when a task is created and doesn't require any action from your team.

In Progress means work on the task has begun. This can happen two ways:

A task is Complete when it's done. Like In Progress, this can be set manually or automatically:

Up Next is a conditional status that appears on a task when the task immediately before it in the project's task order has been completed. It's the system's way of signaling to the next assignee that their work is ready to begin.

A task with the Up Next status can still carry a status of Ready to Start or In Progress - Up Next just adds an extra layer of context on top, letting the assignee know it's their turn without needing a manual handoff or separate message.

A task becomes Overdue automatically once its due date has passed and it hasn't been completed. There's nothing to apply or remove - it's entirely driven by the due date. You'll notice it in two ways:

The only way to clear Overdue is to either complete the task or push out its due date.

Tip: If a task is going overdue because you're waiting on something outside your control - a client document, a third-party response - leave a comment on the task explaining the hold-up. It keeps the rest of the team in the loop without needing a separate conversation. This is also a great place to use a project label!